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WILLIAM WARREN WELSH, JR., was born 9 Oct 1932 in Washington, DC, the son of an Army officer. He grew up on military posts around the country, graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy, and then spent a year attending the University of Maryland. Bill received an appointment to USMA from U.S. Senator Lister Hill of Alabama and entered West Point in July 1950.
Bill, a member of Company A-1, reluctantly accepted the rigors of Beast Barracks but continued his West Point career with much enthusiasm and good humor. As did many of his classmates, Bill groused about cadet life at times, but his devotion to West Point was evident. Bill was a member of the swim team, filmed the varsity football games for the athletic department, and even found time to go camping on weekends. He was also a member of the Debate Council, Fishing Club, and Ski Club. The 1954 Howitzer described Bill as “a civilian at heart,” but Bill’s love for the Academy continued all of his life.
After graduation in 1954, Bill was commissioned in the Infantry. He completed Airborne and Ranger training. In 1955, Bill married Anne Lyn Harrell, who would become his life-long companion. Bill was then assigned to the U.S. Army, Germany, where he commanded an infantry platoon and subsequently an armored Infantry company. In these assignments, he proved himself a skilled leader of soldiers.
In 1958, Bill left active duty with the Army and joined TRW, Inc. in Cleveland, OH. At TRW, he was a sales engineer. He also served in the National Guard and attended Case Institute of Technology, working toward a master of science degree in engineering administration.
After a transfer to the Boston area, he left TRW and joined Dynatech Corporation in an executive capacity. In 1968, the family moved to the Washington, DC, area, and Bill became president of Cooke Engineering, a subsidiary of Dynatech. He also served as a group vice president and general manager of Dynatech’s laboratory and medical products.
In 1990, Bill resigned from Dynatech to form Environenergy Systems, Inc., expanding it later into Envirotran Corporation. During his tenure with these companies, he was deeply involved with bioluminescence and medical diagnostic equipment. Bill also served as chairman of the Board of Imaging Production International. He was actively involved with these companies until the time of his death.
Bill served as a director of the Alexandria, VA, YMCA for many years. He used his aquatics expertise by serving as a certified referee for the Northern Virginia Swim League. He was also a member of the Chevy Chase Club and the Army Navy Club, and he enjoyed playing tennis. Bill was active in his church, serving on the vestries of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, VA, and the Episcopal Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes in Washington, DC.
Bill and Anne Lyn were blessed with four daughters: Anne Lyn Welsh Michell, Margaret Susan Welsh, Elizabeth Glenn Welsh Lasko, and Carol Warren Welsh. Bill was very close to them, participating in their lives and interests. He was always present for his daughters’ piano recitals, swim meets, choir concerts, and softball games. The family took many trips around the country and the world. Attending Army football games at West Point and the Army–Navy game in Philadelphia were important family traditions. The family also enjoyed many visits to their summer home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
At Arlington Hospital in Virginia on 3 Sep 1998, Bill died of cancer. A memorial service for him was held at the Ft. Myer Memorial Chapel on 15 Sep 1998. Bill was buried with military honors next to his parents in Arlington National Cemetery.
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